Method and apparatus for forming elongated batter piling in situ

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a batter piling in situ from successive lengths of add-on piling. Initially, one end of a generally vertically suspended add-on piling is positioned in at least partial abutting contact with a similar portion of an upwardly extending free end of a batter piling. Next, the add-on is arranged in a posture of rough, generally axial alignment with the previously placed piling. The positioning and arrangement of the add-on is accomplished, at least in part, by a piling guide member which is connected to the add-on. Next a releasable clamping apparatus stabilizes the position and arrangement of the add-on by exerting a clamping force at the point of abutting contact between the add-on and the previously placed piling. The clamping force is next selectively released to permit the add-on to pivot under the influence of gravity into a position of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed batter piling.

United States Patent [1 1 Kolb METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ELONGATED BATTER PILING 1N SITU Alfred Reeves Kolb, Garalston on Sea, England [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Brown & Root, Inc., Houston, Tex. [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 459,340

[52] US. Cl. 52/726; 52/747; 61/535 [51] Int. Cl? EOZD 5/28 [58] Field of Search 52/726, 747; 61/465, 53.5;

Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Assistant Examiner-Carl D. Friedman Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis 451 July 22,1975

[57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a batter piling in situ from successive lengths of add-on piling. Initially, one end of a generally vertically suspended add-on piling is positioned in at least partial abutting contact with a similar portion of an upwardly extending free end of a batter piling, Next, the add-on is arranged in a posture of rough, generally axial alignment with the previously placed piling. The positioning and arrangement of the add-on is accomplished, at least in part, by a piling guide member which is con nected to the add-on. Next a releasable clamping apparatus stabilizes the position and arrangement of the add-on by exerting a clamping force at the point of abutting contact between the add-on and the previously placed piling. The clamping force is next selectively released to permit the add-on to pivot under the influence of gravity into a position of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed batter piling.

17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUL 22 ms FIG. 3

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ELONGATED BATTER PILING IN SITU BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for forming batter piling in situ.

Batter pilings which may be fabricated in accordance with the present invention are of a general type and may be used in a variety of applications. For instance. the piling may be capped with concrete and used as a part of foundations for buildings placed on unstable soils. Also. in connection with various construction projects. the pilings may be driven into the earth to retain and stabilize soil banks and other land masses.

Pilings fabricated according to the present invention, however. find particular utility in pinning an offshore structure to the bed ofa body of water. In this connec-' tion. structures constructed in an offshore environment may function in a plurality of capacities. For instance. offshore structures may serve as platforms for radar and sonar stations. light beacons. or laboratories for marine exploration.

With the depletion of reserves indigenous to the United States and other producing nations, the search for oil has been pressed in a number of locations beneath the sea and other bodies of water. Major discoveries have been made. for instance. in the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea and artic regions. Recovery of oil and gas reserves located in these areas presents enormous engineering challenges. The oil bearing formations may be located in waters generally ranging from a few feet to over 1,000 feet in depth. Accordingly. of major commercial importance is the use of offshore towers resting upon the bed ofa body of water for supporting offshore drilling. producing. storing, and distributing operations associated with the recovery of oil and gas.

Offshore oil recovery towers must support a platform well above the average height of waves encountered in the area and are subject to considerable aerodynamic, hydrodynamic. and often seismic loads. Accordingly, such towers are typically pinned to the bed of the body of water by a plurality of pilings driven deeply into the waterbed.

Tremendous strides have been taken by engineers and scientists in developing structures and associated foundations which are suitable for use in recovering submerged deposits of oil. An example of an offshore structure of this type is disclosed in US. Koehler Pat. No. 3,729,940 issued May 1, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of this application. This reference discloses a generally rectangular tower which has a number of vertically upright supportive legs which extend from the floor ofthe body of water to an elevated position above the surface. A platform is constructed atop these legs. Inclined bracing members extend from points of the vertical legs above the floor of the body of water downward to a plurality of anchoring clusters operable to secure the structure to the floor of the body of water.

ln this connection, a plurality of piling jackets in the form of elongated. hollow cylinders are rigidly secured to and arranged around the base of the tower adjacent the bed of the body of water. A piling is inserted through each of the jackets and is driven into the bed of the body of water a distance sufficient to securely anchor the piling in place. Once the piling is driven into place it is cut off and grouted within the surrounding jacket in a manner which renders the piling essentially an integral part of the tower. A number of different techniques can be employed to grout the pilings in position within the jackets. One such technique can be found by reference to U.S. Hauber et al. Pat. No. 3,315,473 issued Apr. 25, 1967, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

Pilings of the type noted above slope inwardly from the base of the tower to the platform and therefore are referred to as batter piling." During placement. this batter piling may extend from the floor of the body of water the length of the tower to a point above the surface where the force required to drive the piling is applied. Intermediate the floor of the body of the water and the surface ofthe water. a plurality of guide collars disposed on struts extending from the tower may surround and laterally brace the pilings. The batter pilings may be formed from successive, relatively short lengths of add-on piling which are aligned with and welded at the surface of the body of water to prevously placed pilmg.

As previously noted. batter piling is slightly inclined to the vertical. toward the platform of the associated offshore tower. This inclination introduces a number of problems since add-on pilings are lowered in a vertical posture into place by means of a crane located on the platform or a work barge floating nearby. Accordingly. the add-on piling will not axially align with the batter piling when placed in abutment therewith. It will be appreciated, however. that the batter piling cannot be driven unless the full length of the piling is straight. The add-on must therefore be shifted or canted into a posture of accurate alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling.

In the past at lease one technique for canting the addon utilized winches and/or systems of blocks and tackle operably connected to the add-on and the batter piling and/or the tower or barge. Rigging of this type may be quite complicated and in practice difficult to control. Moreover, storms at sea can develop very quickly and place the crew and structure in great danger if the platform is not completely anchored. Thus. it is usually necessary to anchor the tower in place as expeditiously as possible. It would therefore be highly desirable if add-ons being connected to previously placed lengths of batter piling could be accurately and expeditiously positioned atop the previously placed batter piling without the use of complicated or extraneous rigging.

Often during placement of the piling. heavy seas and winds may be encountered. if the add-on is suspended. in whole or in part. during the positioning and adjustment thereof. problems may be encountered with regard to the stability of the add-on atop the previously placed length of batter piling. If the add-on is lowered from a crane disposed on a work barge. the stability of the barge may be adversely affected by heavy seas and winds and accurate adjustment of the add-on atop the previously placed length of piling may be quite difficult. Similarly, if the add-on is being lowered from the platform. the effects of heavy winds acting upon the add-on and the cable from which it may be suspended may render the position of the add-on unstable and the adjustment thereof quite difficult. It will be appreciated that the difficulties which may be presented by the action of heavy seas and winds may render the proper placement of the add-on more tedious and time consuming. It therefore would be highly desirable if addons could be stabilized and aligned atop previously placed lengths of piling essentially independent of the platform or a work barge floating nearby.

A further problem somewhat related to that discussed in the preceding paragraph resides in the need to accurately adjust the alignment and abutment of the add-on with the previously placed length of piling. If the entire length of piling is not straight. the piling may buckle upon application of the forces necessary to drive the piling. Furthermore. in order to achieve the degree of straightness required to avoid buckling. selective movement of the add-on may be required. If the adjustment is attempted from the platform or a barge floating nearby. the add-on may be subject to large shifts in position which do not improve the abutment or alignment of the add-on with the previously placed length of piling. The problem of accurate alignment may be further complicated by the instability discussed in the preceding paragraph which may be inherent to methods of placement based primarily on the platform or a barge floating nearby. Large shifts in the position of the add-on may result from this instability and accurate alignment may be quite difficult. It would there fore be highly desirable if the position and posture of an add-on being placed atop a previously placed length of batter piling could be selectively adjusted.

Some methods of forming elongated lengths of batter piling from successive lengths of add-on piling may employ either interior or exterior alignment devices. If an interior alignment device is used. accurate. snug fitting within the pilings may be necessary to achieve the desired degree of straightness in the completed piling. This requirement of a snug fit may render the placement of the add-on atop the previously placed piling difficult. particularly in rough seas or heavy winds.

An exterior alignment device may be either hinged or solid. In either case it normally enclosed the end of the previously placed piling. The add-on piling is commonly inserted into the exterior alignment device and moved axially into abutment with the previously placed piling to which it is ultimately fastened. The alignment device is subsequently removed. Because these alignment devices may be large and cumbersome. the use of these devices can be difficult and tedious in rough seas or high winds. Futhermore, both the add-on piling and the alignment device must be placed atop the previously placed piling. This may double the difficulties of constructing the batter piling.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming an elongated length of batter piling in situ from successive lengths of add-on piling intended to obviate or minimize the problems of the type previously described.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for positioning an addon piling atop a previously placed length of batter piling in a position of complete axial abutment and a posture of accurate alignment therewith without the use of extraneous rigging.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus in which the equipment employed to position the add-on atop the previously placed length of piling is inexpensive, readily fabricated from materials commonly found aboard a production platform or an associated work barge. and therefore disposable.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for placing an add-on piling atop a previously placed length of batter piling in which the add-on may be selectively moved to adjust the abutment and/0r alignment thereof with the previously placed length of piling.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for placing an add-on piling atop a previously placed length of batter piling which effects the placement of add-on piling in a position of full axial abutment and a posture of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed piling without the need of an accurately fitting interior or a cumbersome exterior alignment device.

An improved method of forming. in situ, an elongated tubular batter piling, for pinning an off-shore structure to the floor of a body of water. intended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects entails initially suspending an add-on piling in a position of at least partial abutment with a portion of an upwardly projecting free end of a previously placed length of batter piling. The two lengths of piling are next tightly clamped together at the location of the abutting contact thereof in a manner which tends to maintain and stabilize the position and posture of the add-on piling relative to the batter piling. The clamping force is ultimately relaxed to permit the force of gravity to pivot the add-on piling to a posture of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling.

A novel apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning successive lengths of add-on piling atop a previously placed length of batter piling comprises a guiding member connected to the add-on piling to guide the end of the add-on into a position of partial abutment with a portion of the previously placed length of batter piling. The guiding member also tends to orient the add-on atop the batter piling in a posture of generally axial alignment therewith. The abutting portions of the piling are clamped tightly together by means of a selectively releasable clamp to maintain the abutment and posture of generally axially alignment of the pilings. The clamp may be selectively released to permit the force of gravity to pivot the add-on to a position of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling.

THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred method and apparatus as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. I illustrates a side view of a structure and a method of handling add-on pilings employed to pin the structure to the bed of a body of water;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detail axonometric view of an addon piling about to be placed atop a previously placed batter piling;

FIG. 3, note sheet 2, illustrates a detail axonometric view of an add-on piling positioned atop a previously placed batter piling in a position of partial abutment and a posture of generally axial alignment therewith;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detail axonometric view of the pilings illustrated in FIG. 3 with an apparatus for clamping the add-on piling atop the batter piling;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view taken along section lines 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6, note sheet 1. illustrates an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus which may be employed to clamp the addon piling atop the previously placed batter piling;

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail axonometric view of a wedge member of a clamping assembly being heated to permit the force of gravity to pivot the add-on piling into axial alignment with the batter piling; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a detail axonometric view of an addon piling in abutment with a previously placed batter piling for peripheral welding of the add-on to the batter piling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Context of the Invention Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a side view can be seen of a tower l0 and associated platform 12 resting on the bed 14 of a body of water 16. A portion of the tower extends above the surface 18 of the body of water I6 to position the platform 12 in a manner allowing the use of the structure in operations such as those connected with the production of oil. The principal structural members of the tower include elongated vertical legs 20 of varying diameter and principal bracing members 22 which extend from an elevated point of the legs 20 obliquely downward to the bed 14 of the body of water. lnterconnecting the vertical legs and the principal bracing members 20 and 22, respectively. is a plurality of relatively slender. secondary bracing members 24 which form a structural lattice between the legs and the principal bracing members.

Arranged around and connected to the principal bracing members 22 is a plurality of piling jackets 26 which are interconnected and braced by means of a plurality of lattice members 28.

Elongated batter pilings such as that illustrated at 32 are inserted through the piling jackets 26 and lower portions 30 thereof are driven into the bed 14 of the body of water to pin and anchor the tower in the upright position shown. For a more detailed description of this particular tower and the manner in which it is positioned and pinned to the floor of the body of water. reference may be had to US. Koehler Pat. No. 3.729.940, issued May 1. I973. and assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosure of this patent is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth at length.

The elongated batter piling 32 mentioned in the preceding paragraph is formed from a succession of relatively short tubular add-on pilings 34. The batter piling is laterally braced during placement by means of guide collars 36 which depend from struts 38 extending from the tower 10. The elongated length of batter piling 32 extends from above the surface of the body of water, through the guide collars, into a piling jacket and ultimately into the bed of the body of water. This length of piling may be driven into the floor of the body of water by any suitable arrangement which may be used in this environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 one of the successive lengths of add-on piling 34 can be seen as it is being lowered into place atop the previously placed length of batter piling 32. The add-on 34 can be lowered by any suitable arrangement but is shown in this illustration suspended from a cable 40 ofa crane 42 which is disposed on a work barge 44 floating near the tower. It will be noted that the add-on 34 is lowered vertically in a generally vertical orientation and that the previously placed batter piling 32 is inclined. As will be described more fully in subsequent discussions. a portion of an end of this vertically oriented add-on ultimately abuts a portion of an end of the batter piling 32. The add-on and the previously placed length of piling are subsequently connected. in situ, by means of the novel method and apparatus of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, an axonometric view can be seen of an add-on 34 being lowered into position atop an inclined. elongated previously placed length of batter piling 32. As indicated in connection with the discussion of FIG. I. the add-on 34 is vertically oriented when lowered into place atop the inclined length of batter piling 32. As will be more fully described in the course of subsequent discussion. the add-on 34 will ultimately be lowered into a position of partial axial abutment and a posture of rough, generally axial alignment with the previously placed length of piling 32. The add-on may be suspended during lowering of a cable passing over the boom of a crane operating either from a work barge floating near the previously placed length of batter piling or from the platform 12. A force equal to the total weight of the add-on will be exerted through the cable by the apparatus suspending the add-on. This force is represented by the vector P. shown in FIG. 2 to be directed upwardly generally along the longitudinal axis of the add-on.

Placement of the add-on 34 atop the previously placed length of batter piling 32 is facilitated by suitable guiding means such as the piling guide member 46 which extends from the lower portion of the add-on. The guiding member 46 is characterized by an orthogonally truncated. conical. annular portion 48 which forms the lowermost portion thereof. The conical portion 48 of the guiding member 46 rigidly depends from a cylindrical, annular portion 50 which fits snugly within and is securely fastened to the interior 52 of the hollow. cylindrical add-on 34. As will be more readily appreciated from subsequent discussion, the guiding member 46 is inserted within the interior 52 ofthe hollow. cylindrical length of batter piling 32 as the add-on is lowered into place. The guiding member 46 remains in place within the interior of the add-on 34 and the previously placed length of piling 32. Because the guiding member takes generally an annular form. fluid may be circulated through the interior of the completed piling if desired. It may also be convenient to note at this point that a short axial length 54 of the cylindrical portion 50 of the guiding member 46 extends beyond the lowermost portion of the add-on 34. The function of this portion of the grinding member will be more fully described in connection with the discussion of FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, an axonometric view can be seen of an add-on piling 34 atop the previously placed length of batter piling 32. The vertically oriented add-on 34 is guided by the guiding member into a position of partial abutment and a posture of rough. generally axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling as it is lowered into place. Because the previously placed length of piling is inclined and the add-on remains generally vertically oriented, the two lengths of piling do not abut around the full circumferences thereof. but rather only partially abut along short arcs located generally at the point 56.

The conical portion 48 of the guiding member 46 is fully inserted within the interior 52 of the upper portion of the previously placed length of piling when the add on is lowered into place. The add-on 34 is held in a position of partial abutment and a posture of rough. gen erally axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling in part by the insertion of the grinding member within the previously placed piling. The position of partial abutment and the posture of rough. alignment are also assisted by the suspending force P which remains at least partially in effect through the suspending arrangement discussed earlier. As can be seen from the oblique intersection of the center lines of the pilings. the alignment is indeed generally axial. In this regard it will be appreciated that the intersection of the center lines should not be sufficiently acute to allow the center of gravity of the addon piling 34 to fall outside the circumference of the uppermost portion of the previously placed batter piling. This prevents the add-on from toppling and also enables the add-on to be accurately aligned as described in subsequent discussion. This simple requirement. viz that the projected center of gravity of the add-on fall within the circumference of the previously placed length of piling. is the only significant requirement imposed on the initial posture of the add-on atop the previously placed length of piling.

Two rigid. generally cubic ears or lugs 58 are shown in FIG. 3 welded in place as at 60 to form opposed. protruding portions on the pilings 32 and 34. Though the function of these lugs will be more fully described in subsequent discussion. it is useful at this point to de scribe the placement of the lugs in relation to the end and the point 56 of abutment of the pilings. One of the lugs is welded to the surface of the batter piling directly adjacent the end 62 thereof and facing away from the direction of inclination of the piling. The second lug is welded to the add-on immediately adjacent the end 64 thereof. As shown. the add-on is arranged rotationally so that the two lugs 58 both fall generally in the plane defined by the intersecting center lines of the two lengths of piling. This requirement. viz, that both lugs 58 fall in the plane defined by the longitudinal center lines of the two lengths of piling. is the only constraint placed on the rotational positioning of the add-on 34 relative to the previously placed length of piling 32. This requirement insures that the point of abutment 56 will fall between the lugs 58. It can be appreciated at this point that only two requirements are imposed on the positioning and posture of the add-on atop the previously placed length of piling. First. the add-on should be placed in a posture in which the projected center of gravity thereof falls within the circumference of the end 62 of the previously placed length of piling. Second. both lugs 58 should generally fall in the plane defined by the intersecting longitudinal center lines of the lengths of piling being joined. Of course. as in any con struction operation. the requirements just defined may be met within any range of tolerances which will allow the operations to be described in the following discus sions to be accomplished. The two requirements are broadly stated and should not be construed as imposing requirements of any great accuracy in the placement of the add-on pilings.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings. an axonometric view can be seen of an add-on piling 34 in a position of partial abutment and a posture of rough, generally axially alignment with a previously placed length of piling 32. A releasable clamping means 66 for positioning the add-on is shown in placeon the pilings. The releasable clamping means 66 is employed to tightly clamp the add-on 34 to the previously placed length of batter piling 32 at the point of partial abutment 56. As suggested by the illustration. the clamping means operates independently of any structure or rigging associated with the work barge or tower illustrated in FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG. 4 and also from FIG. 6, the releasable clamping means is comprised of a clamping frame 68 and a wedge or other wedging means 70.

Turning for the moment to FIG. 6 of the drawings, which illustrates an exploded perspective view of the clamping means. the clamping frame 68 can be seen to be comprised of opposed ends 72 and similarly opposed sides 74. The sides and ends are welded together as at 76 to form a rigid, elongated. rectangular frame. The ends 72 are connected by only two opposed sides 74, the remaining two sides 78 of the frame being open to expose the interior 80 thereof. The clamping frame 68 is positioned on the pilings as shown in FIG. 4 to enclose the lugs 58. The lugs fit within the interior 80 of the clamping frame 68 generally at opposite ends thereof. These opposite ends may be conveniently regarded as forming a pocket which encloses the lugs 58 and which constitutes engaging means for engaging the opposed portions of the pilings formed by the lugs 58.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the wedging means or wedge can be seen to include a first bearing surface 82 which intersects a driving surface 84 in a generally orthogonal manner. A second bearing surface 86 is directed from the driving surface 84 generally obliquely toward the first bearing surface 82, both bearing surfaces being truncated at an end 88. As indicated by the broken arrow 90, the end 88 of the wedge 70 is inserted into the aperture 92 which passes transversely through the opposed sides 74 adjacent one of the opposed ends 72. When the clamping frame 68 is in place over the lugs 58 and the wedge 70 is forced into a position of full insertion through the aperture 92, for instance by forcefully impacting the driving surface 84, the second bearing surface 86 bears on the interior surface 94 of the end 72 of the frame adjacent the aperture 92. The first bearing surface 82 bears on the axially outermost surface 96 of one of the lugs 58. The assembled relation between the clamping frame. wedge, lugs. and pilings can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a sectional view taken along the lines S5 of FIG. 4 can be seen. The releasable clamping means 66 is shown in section in place on the pilings. One end 72 of the clamping frame tightly engages the outermost axial face 96 of one of the lugs 58. The wedge 70 is shown driven into place through the aperture 92 between the interior 94 of the remaining end of the clamping frame and the axially outermost face 96 of the remaining lug 58.

The wedge 70 forces the opposed portions of the pilings formed by the lugs 58 into positions of closer proximity. In this manner. the pilings can be tightly clamped together at the point of partial abutment 56. This clamping. in combination with the function of the coni cal portion 48 of the guiding member 46, serves to stabilize the add-on in a position of partial axial abutment and a posture of rough. generally axial alignment independent of any complicated arrangement of winches or other rigging either dependent or independent of a work barge or tower. It should be noted. at this point. that the add-on is still suspended, at least in part. by the suspending force P. It should be nonetheless emphasized that this is the only connection between the addon piling and either the work barge or the tower. Temporarily connecting the pilings as described above also obviates the need for a particularly snug fitting of the guiding member within the upper portion of the previously placed length of batter piling 32.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings. the clamping means 66 can be seen being heated to relax the clamping force exerted between the add-on 34 and the previously placed length of piling 32. It will be noted that the suspending force P has been removed. The only force other than the clamping force which continues to act is the force of gravity, i.e.. the weight of the add-on piling. The weight of the add-on creates a moment M which tends to pivot the add-on in the direction of the inclination of the batter piling about the location of the abutment of the pilings. This pivoting occurs in response to the selective relaxation or release of the releasable clamping means. The clamping force is selectively relaxed by heating the wedge 70 with a torch or other heating means 98 to an essentially plastic condition. The wedge may be fabricated from any suitable material which can be heated to an essentially plastic condition, but which is sufficiently hard when cool to allow the wedge to be driven or otherwise forced into the aperture 92 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) to clamp the pilings together.

Heating the wedge to an essentially plastic condition allows the forces exerted by virtue of the moment M to deform the wedge. As the wedge is deformed. the moment M gradually pivots the add-on 34 toward a position of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling 32. Thus, it can be appreciated that the heated wedge releases or relaxes the clamping forces tending to stabilize the add-on in the position and posture described in connection with the discussion of FIGS. 4 and 5. For this reason. the clamping means 66 is referred to herein as a releasable clamping means.

The pilings. clamping frame, and lugs are all composed of a material such as steel which can sustain the loads which will be imposed thereon. Materials of this type commonly dissipate heat rapidly. Thus, withdrawal of the torch 98 allows the wedge 70 to cool quickly and the deformation of the wedge stops. Since the pivoting ofthe add-on in the direction ofinclination of the previously placed length of piling is dependent upon deformation of the wedge, this pivoting is also halted. Therefore, by selectively applying and withdrawing the torch, the movement of the add-on 34 may be selective. in this way the add-on can be easily and accurately positioned as desired atop the batter piling.

When the add-on has ultimately pivoted under its own weight to the desired position. the pilings being joined can be welded together. It should be noted again at this point, that except for the suspending force which is initially exerted on the add-on, the placement and positioning of the add-on atop the previously placed length of piling is accomplished independently of a work barge. tower. or other structure and without any complicated arrangement of winches or other rigging.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the add-on piling 34 is shown in a position of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling 32. The relatively short axial length 54 of the cylindrical portion of the guiding member referred to in connection with the discussion of FIG. 2 is fully inserted within the uppermost portion of the previously placed length of piling and serves to back up the seam formed between the abutting circumferences of the pilings being connected. This allows the pilings to be easily welded together as at 100 in a \/-groove 102 formed by the abutment of chamfered ends 62 and 64 of the pi]- ings. The pilings may be welded together by any suitable welding technique such as gas or electric are. A generalized tool for accomplishing this is illustrated at 104.

Once the pilings are adequately welded together, the releasable clamping means can be removed by driving the wedge (see FIG. 6) back out of the aperture 92 and then removing the clamping frame. The frame as well as the wedge may be discarded. ifdesired. The lugs 58 can be removed in any desired way and may also be discarded. It will be appreciated that these elements are expendable. at least in part because the entire apparatus. including the lugs. can be easily fabricated from materials commonly found aboard production platforms and work barges employed in their placement and construction.

Once the releasable clamping means and the lugs have been removed and the pilings have been fully welded together, the pilings may be driven through the piling jacket and into the floor of the body of water as illustrated in FIG. I. When the elongated length of batter piling has been driven approximately the length of one such segment of add-on piling. it may be desired to add on additional add-on. in this case the method and apparatus described in the preceding can be employed again as described.

Summary of Major Advantages It will be appreciated that in providing an improved method and apparatus for forming an elongated. tubular batter piling from successive lengths of relatively short, tubular add-on pilings, according to the subject invention. certain significant advantages are obtained.

in particular, the method and apparatus provided for forming the elongated length of batter piling allows an add-on piling to be placed atop previously placed batter piling without the use of winches or other complicated and extraneous rigging.

Also, the subject apparatus is inexpensive and easily fabricated from materials commonly found aboard production platforms and associated work barges and is therefore disposable.

Further, the add-on piling can be positioned and stabilized atop the previously placed length of piling independently of any suspension from the barge or tower which might be affected by high winds or seas.

A further advantage resides in the provision of a method and apparatus capable of selectively adjusting the abutment and alignment of an add-on piling with a previously placed length of batter piling.

Also of considerable importance is the provision of a novel method and apparatus for placing a length of add-on piling atop a previously placed length of batter piling which effects the placement of the add-on piling in a position of full axial abutment and a posture of accurate axial alignment with the previously placed piling without the need of an accurately fitting interior or a cumbersome exterior alignment device.

Still further the subject method of heating the clamping assembly wedge to a plastic state in order to permit the add-on piling to pivot into a batter posture serves to accurately and readily control batter alignment of the add-on with respect to the previously constructed batter piling.

In describing the invention. reference has been made to a preferred embodiment. However. those skilled in the art and familiar with the disclosure of the invention may recognize certain additions. deletions. substitutions. or other modifications which would fall within the perview of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved method of forming, in situ, from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises:

suspending an add-on piling in a position of at least partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting free end of a previously placed length of batter piling; exerting a longitudinal clamping force at the location of the at least partial abutting contact between said add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling, to maintain and stabilize the position of the add-on piling relative to the previously placed length of batter piling, said clamping force being exerted by forcing opposed. protruding ear members carried by said add-on piling and said free end of said batter piling into positions of mutually greater proximity by means of a deformable wedging member disposed in force transmitting cooperation with said ear members and operable to transmit divergence preventing force thereto. at least one of said ear members being connected to said add-on piling adjacent the location of said at least partial abutting contact between the add-on and the previously placed length of batter piling and at least another of said ear members being connected to said free end of said batter piling adjacent said at least partial abutting control; and selectively relaxing said clamping force by deforming said wedging member to permit said ear members to diverge and the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of the at least partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said free end of said batter piling. 2. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of forcing said ear members into positions of mutually greater proximity comprises:

enclosing the ear members with a rigid. rectangular enclosure having an aperture adjacent one end thereof for receiving the deformable wedging member between the end of the enclosure and the axially outermost face of an ear member. and

forcing the wedging member into the aperture between the end of the rigid enclosure and the axially outermost face of said ear member.

3. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of selectively relaxing said longitudinal clamping force com prises:

selectively causing the deformable wedging member to deform under the weight of the add-on.

4. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of selectively deforming the wedging member comprises:

selectively heating the deformable wedging member to an essentially plastic condition, the wedging member being metallic in composition.

5. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of suspending an add-on piling in a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact comprises:

inserting an orthogonally truncated, conical, guiding member into the upwardly projecting free end of the previously placed length of batter piling, the conical guiding member extending from a lower end of the add-on piling.

6. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of suspending an add-on piling in a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact further comprises:

lowering the add-on piling into a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact with the previously placed length of batter piling, the previously placed length of batter piling being in a generally inclined posture.

7. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of:

relaxing said suspension of the add-on piling immediately prior to said selective deformation of the deformable wedging member.

8. An improved method of forming, in situ. from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises:

inserting an orthogonally truncated, conical guiding member into the upwardly projecting free end of the previously placed length of batter piling, the conical guiding member extending axially from a lower end of the add-on piling;

lowering the add-on piling into a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact with the previously placed length of batter piling, the previously placed length of batter piling being in a generally inclined posture;

maintaining the add-on in a condition of at least partial suspension atop the previously placed length of batter piling; enclosing axially aligned. protruding ear members disposed adjacent a point of abutment between the add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling with a rigid, rectangular enclosure having an aperture adjacent an end thereof;

forcibly inserting a deformable wedging member into said aperture tightly between an end of said enclosure and an adjacent ear member to exert a longitudinal clamping force between the add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling at the point of abutment;

at least partially relaxing said suspension of the addon piling while maintaining the add-on in a slightly angled posture with respect to the batter piling by said clamping force;

selectively relaxing the clamping force between the add-on piling and the batter piling to permit the force of gravity to pivot the add on piling about the point of abutment to a position of accurate. axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling, said step of selectively relaxing said clamping force including heating said wedging member to an essentially plastic state; and

welding said add-on to said previously placed length of batter piling.

9. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop and elongated. tubular batter piling comprising:

guiding means connected to said add-on piling for guiding said add-on piling into a position of at least partial abutment and generally axial alignment with said tubular batter piling; and

releasable clamping means connected to said add-on and said batter pilings for clamping abutting portions of said add-on piling and said batter piling tightly together. to maintain said at least partial abutment and said generally axial alignment, and for selectively permitting said add-on piling to pivot under the force of gravity to a position of axial alignment with said tubular batter piling. said releasable clamping means including a rigid rectangular frame member having disposed therein means for engaging opposed portions of said add-on and said batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof, said frame member further having an aperture passing transversely therethrough between an end of said frame member and one of said opposed portions of said pilings. and wedging means forcibly insertable in said aperture for wedging into positions of relatively greater proximity said opposed portions of said pilings to clamp said abutting portions of said add-on and said batter pilings tightly together. said wedging means being operable to reduce said wedging to permit said pivoting of said add-on piling.

10. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated, tubular batter piling as defined in claim 9 wherein:

said opposed portions of said pilings are comprised of opposed. longitudinally aligned lugs rigidly connected to said add-on and said batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof; and

said engaging means is comprised of an internal pocket for receiving and surrounding said lugs. said internal pocket being axially bounded by opposed ends of said rectangular frame member.

11. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated tubular batter piling as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said wedging means is selectively deformable to permit the weight of said add-on piling to gradually and selectively move said add-on piling to a posture of accurate. axial alignment with said batter piling.

12. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated. tubular batter piling as defined in claim 11 wherein:

said wedging means is composed of a metallic material which can be selectively heated to an essentially plastic condition to render said wedging means deformable.

13. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated. tubular batter piling as defined in claim 11 wherein:

5 said guiding means is comprised of a cylindrical, an

nular portion rigidly connected to said conical annulus and snugly inserted within and rigidly connected to the end of said add-on piling intended to abut said batter piling. said cylindrical portion prolt) truding a relatively short distance from said end of said add-on piling and operably receivable snugly within the end of said batter piling abutted by said add-on piling.

14. An apparatus for temporarily securing and posi- 15 tioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated. tubular batter piling as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said guiding means is further comprised of an orthogonally truncated, conical. thin annulus rigidly connected to and extending axially from said cylindrical portion.

15. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning. in situ. successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated tubular batter piling comprising:

guiding means for guiding said add-on piling into a position of at least partial abutment with an upwardly projecting free end of said batter piling and a posture of generally axial alignment with said batter piling. said guiding means including a cylindrical annular portion snugly inserted within and rigidly connected to an end of said add-on piling intended to abut said batter piling. said guiding means further including an orthogonally truncated. conical portion connected to and extending from said cylindrical portion for insertion within the free end of said batter piling;

a pair of opposed. longitudinally aligned. lugs. one

rigidly projecting from each ofsaid add-on and batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof;

a rigid. rectangular clamping frame having two opposed sides and two opposed ends positioned to enclose said lugs, said clamping frame having a transverse aperture extending through the sides of said rectangular clamping frame at one end thereof; and

a selectively deformable wedge forcefully drivable into said aperture. between one end of said rectangular frame and an adjacent lug to force said lugs into positions of greater proximity and clamp said abutting portions of said pilings tightly together to maintain said position of partial abutment and said posture of generally axial alignment of said add-on piling with said previously placed batter piling. said wedge being composed of a metallic material which can be selectively heated to a plastic condition to selectively release said lugs and enable the force of gravity acting upon said add-on to pivot said add-on piling to a position of accurate axial alignment with said batter piling.

16. An improved method of forming. in situ. from successive tubular add-on pilings. an elongated. nonvertical. tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water. wherein the improvement comprises:

suspending an add-on piling in a vertical position of only partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting. non-vertical. free end of a previously placed length of non-vertical batter piling, said 15 add-on piling and said batter piling free end forming an angle at said partial abutting contact; exerting a longitudinal clamping force between the add-on piling and said previously placed length of batter piling, to maintain and stabilize the vertical position of the add-on piling inclined relative to said previously placed length of batter piling; and selectively relaxing said clamping force to permit the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of said partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said previously placed length of batter piling.

17. Apparatus for forming, in situ from successive tubular add-on pilingst an elongated. nonwertical tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water. wherein the improvement comprises:

means for suspending an add-on piling in a vertical position of only partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting non-vertical free end of a previously placed length of non vertical batter piling, said add-on piling and said batter piling free end forming an angle at said partial abutting contact;

means for exerting a longitudinal clamping force between said add-on piling and said previously placed length of batter piling. to maintain and stabilize the vertical position of the add-on piling. inclined relative to said previously placed length of batter piling; and

means for selectively relaxing said clamping force to permit the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of said partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said previously placed length of batter piling. 

1. An improved method of forming, in situ, from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises: suspending an add-on piling in a position of at least partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting free end of a previously placed length of batter piling; exerting a longitudinal clamping force at the location of the at least partial abutting contact between said add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling, to maintain and stabilize the position of the add-on piling relative to the previously placed length of batter piling, said clamping force being exerted by forcing opposed, protruding ear members carried by said add-on piling and said free end of said batter piling into positions of mutually greater proximity by means of a deformable wedging member disposed in force transmitting cooperation with said ear members and operable to transmit divergence preventing force thereto, at least one of said ear members being connected to said add-on piling adjacent the location of said at least partial abutting contact between the add-on and the previously placed length of batter piling and at least another of said ear members being connected to said free end of said batter piling adjacent said at least partial abutting control; and selectively relaxing said clamping force by deforming said wedging member to permit said ear members to diverge and the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of the at least partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said free end of said batter piling.
 2. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of forcing said ear members into positions of mutually greater proximity comprises: enclosing the ear members with a rigid, rectangular enclosure having an aperture adjacent one end thereof for receiving the deformable wedging member between the end of the enclosure and the axially outermost face of an ear member; and forcing the wedging member into the aperture between the end of the rigid enclosure and the axially outermost face of said ear member.
 3. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of selectively relaxing said longitudinal clamping force comprises: selectively causing the deformable wedging member to deform under the weight of the add-on.
 4. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of selectively deforming the wedging member comprises: selectively heating the deformable wedging member to an essentially plastic condition, the wedging member being metallic in composition.
 5. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of suspending an add-on piling in a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact comprises: inserting an orthogonally truncated, conical, guiding member into the upwardly projecting free end of the previously placed length of batter piling, the conical guiding member extending from a lower end of the add-on piling.
 6. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of suspending an add-on piling in a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact further comprises: lowering the add-on piling into a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact with the previously placed length of batter piling, the previously placed length of batter piling being in a generally inclined posture.
 7. An improved method of forming batter piling in situ as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of: relaxing said suspension of the add-on piling immediately prior to said selective deformation of the deformable wedging member.
 8. An improved method of forming, in situ, from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises: inserting an orthogonally truncated, conical guiding member into the upwardly projecting free end of the previously placed length of batter piling, the conical guiding member extending axially from a lower end of the add-on piling; lowering the add-on piling into a generally vertical posture and a position of at least partial abutting contact with the previously placed length of batter piling, the previously placed length of batter piling being in a generally inclined posture; maintaining the add-on in a condition of at least partial suspension atop the previously placed length of batter piling; enclosing axially aligned, protruding ear members disposed adjacent a point of abutment between the add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling with a rigid, rectangular enclosure having an aperture adjacent an end thereof; forcibly inserting a deformable wedging member into said aperture tightly between an end of said enclosure and an adjacent ear member to exert a longitudinal clamping force between the add-on piling and the previously placed length of batter piling at the point of abutment; at least partially relaxing said suspension of the add-on piling while maintaining the add-on in a slightly angled posture with respect to the batter piling by said clamping force; selectively relaxing the clamping force between the add-on piling and the batter piling to permit the force of gravity to pivot the add-on piling about the point of abutment to a position of accurate, axial alignment with the previously placed length of batter piling, said step of selectively relaxing said clamping force including heating said wedging member to an essentially plastic state; and welding said add-on to said previously placed length of batter piling.
 9. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop and elongated, tubular batter piling comprising: guiding means connected to said add-on piling for guiding said add-on piling into a position of at least partial abutment and generally axial alignment with said tubular batter piling; and releasable clamping means connected to said add-on and said batter pilings for clamping abutting portions of said add-on piling and said batter piling tightly together, to maintain said at least partial abutment and said generally axial alignment, and for selectively permitting said add-on piling to pivot under the force of gravity to a position of axial alignment with said tubular batter piling, said releasable clamping means including a rigid rectangular frame member having disposed therein means for engaging opposed portions of said add-on and said batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof, sAid frame member further having an aperture passing transversely therethrough between an end of said frame member and one of said opposed portions of said pilings, and wedging means forcibly insertable in said aperture for wedging into positions of relatively greater proximity said opposed portions of said pilings to clamp said abutting portions of said add-on and said batter pilings tightly together, said wedging means being operable to reduce said wedging to permit said pivoting of said add-on piling.
 10. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated, tubular batter piling as defined in claim 9 wherein: said opposed portions of said pilings are comprised of opposed, longitudinally aligned lugs rigidly connected to said add-on and said batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof; and said engaging means is comprised of an internal pocket for receiving and surrounding said lugs, said internal pocket being axially bounded by opposed ends of said rectangular frame member.
 11. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated tubular batter piling as defined in claim 10 wherein: said wedging means is selectively deformable to permit the weight of said add-on piling to gradually and selectively move said add-on piling to a posture of accurate, axial alignment with said batter piling.
 12. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated, tubular batter piling as defined in claim 11 wherein: said wedging means is composed of a metallic material which can be selectively heated to an essentially plastic condition to render said wedging means deformable.
 13. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated, tubular batter piling as defined in claim 11 wherein: said guiding means is comprised of a cylindrical, annular portion rigidly connected to said conical annulus and snugly inserted within and rigidly connected to the end of said add-on piling intended to abut said batter piling, said cylindrical portion protruding a relatively short distance from said end of said add-on piling and operably receivable snugly within the end of said batter piling abutted by said add-on piling.
 14. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated, tubular batter piling as defined in claim 13 wherein: said guiding means is further comprised of an orthogonally truncated, conical, thin annulus rigidly connected to and extending axially from said cylindrical portion.
 15. An apparatus for temporarily securing and positioning, in situ, successive lengths of tubular add-on piling atop an elongated tubular batter piling comprising: guiding means for guiding said add-on piling into a position of at least partial abutment with an upwardly projecting free end of said batter piling and a posture of generally axial alignment with said batter piling, said guiding means including a cylindrical annular portion snugly inserted within and rigidly connected to an end of said add-on piling intended to abut said batter piling, said guiding means further including an orthogonally truncated, conical portion connected to and extending from said cylindrical portion for insertion within the free end of said batter piling; a pair of opposed, longitudinally aligned, lugs, one rigidly projecting from each of said add-on and batter pilings adjacent said abutting portions thereof; a rigid, rectangular clamping frame having two opposed sides and two opposed ends positioned to enclose said lugs, said clamping frame having a transverse aperture extending through the sides of said rectangular clamping frame at one end thereof; and a selectively deformable wedge forcefully Drivable into said aperture, between one end of said rectangular frame and an adjacent lug to force said lugs into positions of greater proximity and clamp said abutting portions of said pilings tightly together to maintain said position of partial abutment and said posture of generally axial alignment of said add-on piling with said previously placed batter piling, said wedge being composed of a metallic material which can be selectively heated to a plastic condition to selectively release said lugs and enable the force of gravity acting upon said add-on to pivot said add-on piling to a position of accurate axial alignment with said batter piling.
 16. An improved method of forming, in situ, from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, non-vertical, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises: suspending an add-on piling in a vertical position of only partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting, non-vertical, free end of a previously placed length of non-vertical batter piling, said add-on piling and said batter piling free end forming an angle at said partial abutting contact; exerting a longitudinal clamping force between the add-on piling and said previously placed length of batter piling, to maintain and stabilize the vertical position of the add-on piling inclined relative to said previously placed length of batter piling; and selectively relaxing said clamping force to permit the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of said partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said previously placed length of batter piling.
 17. Apparatus for forming, in situ, from successive tubular add-on pilings, an elongated, non-vertical, tubular batter piling for pinning an offshore structure to the bed of a body of water, wherein the improvement comprises: means for suspending an add-on piling in a vertical position of only partial abutting contact with an upwardly projecting, non-vertical free end of a previously placed length of non vertical batter piling, said add-on piling and said batter piling free end forming an angle at said partial abutting contact; means for exerting a longitudinal clamping force between said add-on piling and said previously placed length of batter piling, to maintain and stabilize the vertical position of the add-on piling, inclined relative to said previously placed length of batter piling; and means for selectively relaxing said clamping force to permit the force of gravity to gradually pivot said add-on piling about the location of said partial abutting contact to a posture of axial alignment with said previously placed length of batter piling. 